Hamilton Bulbs gone BAD!!!

[Mikeyjer]

Does anyone remember me winning those 2-250w 10k Hamilton bulbs? Well, here's what happened to them, one went out after 2 months of usage, I was only using on one side of the tank at a time. So I started using the other bulb. It's only been 5 months of usage this time and the bulb just exploded for no reason putting shatter glass all over inside of my tank that was a pain to remove, there is still pieces I can't get to. Had to unplug the light cause it was still running. I will NOT buy another hamilton bulb! :mad2:

 

[CKreef]

I have 3 250w bulbs . 2 giessman and an aqualine? They are used about 4 months $40

 

[fallinapart]

Wow, that sure sounds like some bad luck, I had some hamiltons and they worked well for me, I was also using DE bulbs so had a glass cover. but now of course I use T-5 and the only breakage I've seen in these are when I dropped one and it broke

Norman

 

[Angela Short]

Sorry you had such a bad run of luck. I had a metal halide bust (not sure of brand) over a tank and it was a super pain to pick it all out. I was worried the fish would get cut up if they sifted the sand at all. Mine busted from a splash I am sure of since I didn't have the top covered and it was close to the water. I love the look of the Hamiltons and me and my freind have never had one go bad yet. My GF's has been running from almost 18 months and seriously needs replacing! I wish it would go bad so she would get a new one .

 

[Mikeyjer]

From what Hamilton Tech was telling me is that because I have a open top with either water splash or moisture is what caused it. But I've had XM bulbs in the same fixture before without issues and I had the canopy made tall so the lights are about 12" above. I personally think it's the bulbs which these are not the cone shaped bulbs, these are the oval shaped ones which from my understanding they are american made while the cone shaped ones are german made. But the lady at Hamilton says that's not true so I have no idea.....